Low Kick

  • Striking
  • Kicks
  • fundamental
  • Orthodox stance
  • 4 steps

A rear roundhouse aimed at the thigh or calf to chop the base out from under the opponent. Also known as the Leg kick, the Calf kick or the Thigh kick. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 4 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Set your stance

    Hands up, weight ready to shift.

    Low Kick step 1 of 4: Set your stance
  2. 02

    Step and pivot

    Step out and pivot the lead foot to open the hips, just as for a high kick.

    Low Kick step 2 of 4: Step and pivot
  3. 03

    Chop the shin down

    Whip the rear shin down into the outside of the thigh or the calf, swinging through with the hips.

    Low Kick step 3 of 4: Chop the shin down
  4. 04

    Retract and reset

    Snap the leg back and return to your stance so it cannot be caught.

    Low Kick step 4 of 4: Retract and reset

Key details

  • Aim to swing through the leg, not just touch it.
  • Pivot the base foot so the hip drives the shin down.
  • Repeated low kicks compromise their mobility, bank them.

Common mistakes

  • Kicking with the foot instead of the shin.
  • Standing flat-footed with no pivot.
  • Telegraphing by dropping the hand first.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

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